[ad_1]
EUREKA, Kan. An active night for severe weather in Kansas saw much of southern central Kansas affected by strong to violent storms. As the strongest storms began to weaken in Sedgwick County late Tuesday night, Eureka remains focused on the day, where daylight will reveal the extent of damage caused by a tornado that has made thousands of wounded.
Late Tuesday night, the Warrant Officer General's office says the Kansas Emergency Management Division is asking people who want to help the cleanup and recovery efforts at Eureka to stay away from the city at the moment.
"We know their hearts are in the right place," says Angee Morgan, Deputy Director of KDEM, "And there will likely be opportunities for people to volunteer, but for now, we need to let the professionals do their job. . situation to see what is needed and where it is needed. Although well-intentioned, too many untrained volunteers rush to the inside can create problems. "
The adjutant general says that the main reason people are advised to avoid the area is because of the dangers of debris, including weakened and damaged trees and fallen power lines.
"As the situation is assessed, emergency coordinators will have a clearer idea of what is needed and will require qualified volunteers and additional supplies, as needed," said the office. the adjutant general.
Morgan says the best way to help people is to donate money to established voluntary organizations such as the American Red Cross, Harvesters, the Salvation Army or the United Way.
To relive how the storms that affected Eureka, Greenwood County and other parts of Kansas have grown, strengthened and advanced, follow the Tuesday night updates below:
Updated – 10:35 pm
The Greenwood County Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management say the tornado on Tuesday night occurred within minutes of the time the clouds began to fall.
The emergency sirens were activated, but the tornado quickly developed and people had little time to go to the shelter. The preliminary assessment shows damage to more than 100 blocks because of the tornado.
The sheriff's office says five people were injured, a criticism. First responders continue to look for properties to make sure no one else is injured or trapped.
—–
Updated – 22:20 The strongest Kansas storm is located west of Wichita and is moving slowly, necessitating a flood warning for Sedgwick County.
—–
Updated – 10:15 pm; The Warrant Officer General's office reviews the situation in Eureka as the crews are assessing the significant damage.
The Kansas Department of Transportation closed Highway 54 between marker 287 and marker 266.
About 5,700 Westar Energy customers are without electricity.
"The state agencies represented at the Kansas Emergency Operations Center include the Kansas Division of Emergency Management, the Kansas National Guard, the Kansas Department of Transportation, the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Department. of Kansas Health and Environment and the Department of Child and Family Services. ", Says the office of the adjutant general.
—–
Update – 10 hours: There are indications of large hail moving across Wichita (one to two inches in diameter) with storms moving into the area. We have also had periodic reports of clouds dropping west of Wichita. This storm also has heavy rain and winds of about 50 mph.
There have been reports of clouds and wall funnels, but no tornadoes with storms in Sedgwick County.
—–
Update – 9:40 pm: A representative of the Warrant Officer General's Office stated that Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer had issued a disaster statement after a tornado struck Eureka and left thousands without electricity.
Jane Welch, from the Warrant Officer General's office, says that the shelter of the Eureka Methodist Church will be up and running tonight. She says the governor's statement ensures that many resources are immediately available. There is no need for volunteers right now and people should avoid the area, says the Greenwood County Emergency Manager.
Welch says that state agencies are in the early stages of assessing damage in Eureka.
"We know it's important," Welch says.
Westar Energy says its crews will also work all night to assess the damage.
——
Update – 9:20 pm: Storm Team 12 indicates that there are reports of a wall cloud turning northwest of corn and north-east of Andale. At the present time, no tornado warning is associated with this storm.
Further north, a possible funnel cloud has been reported in the Bentley area.
—–
Update – 9:10 pm: Our team at the western end of Eureka reports from a neighborhood where courses on a block are littered with debris.
More than 4,000 people are without electricity in Greenwood County.
Residents say that they have not had a lot of time to get in the shelter before the tornado blows in town.
Laura Brewbacker says that she watched the storm come from her porch.
"The wind started roaring and I could hear something that looked like a train, I could not see anything, it was gray and I knew it was time to take cover , so I tried to close the door.
Brewbacker says she's hidden with her dog and cat in her shelter from the storm as she hears windowpanes enter her home.
—–
Update – 9pm: The warning of a single tornado of the state in southern Butler County is due to expire at 9:15 pm. At this time, there is no report of wall clouds or funnels. This storm drifts slowly southeastward at a speed of 10 to 15 mph. Winds greater than 60 km / h and hail more than one inch in diameter are the main threats.
A severe storm warning continues in northern Sedgwick County. This southeasterly moving storm at about 20 mph includes smaller gusts of hail and wind of about 50 mph.
—–
Update – 8:45 pm: We hear damage reports from strong winds in Douglass. This damage includes power lines. A new violent storm warning is issued for counties south of Harvey and north of Sedgwick until at least 9 pm.
—–
Update – 20:35: Our team in Eureka examines the damage caused by a tornado that hit the city. This damage includes trees and power lines as well as significant structural damage.
Among the damaged structures are homes and businesses, including a tire store that has collapsed. A sheriff's deputy from Greenwood County tells us that the tornado has gone "directly through the center of town".
This member says that he has heard of only one injury.
On the mobile? Use this link: LIVESTREAM
—–
Update – 8:30 pm: A tornado warning is in effect for southern Butler County until at least 9:15 pm. A traffic zone was observed near Rose Hill. This warning includes Douglass and areas south of Highway 400.
—–
Update – 8:05 pm: The Greenwood County Emergency Management Service reports that the city of Eureka has been "directly affected" by tonight's tornado.
There is a shelter at the Methodist Church of Eureka. Emergency management indicates that the area is not safe because power lines are down.
Eureka suffered a direct blow from a tornado. Shelter at the Methodist Church. No volunteers are needed at this time. The area has power lines and is not safe. #kswx
–
Greenwood County Emergency Management (@gwcountyem) June 27, 2018
—–
Update – 8 pm: Severe thunderstorms continue to impact the eastern regions of Wichita and Butler County. Hail is the main threat, including hailstones more than an inch in diameter reported to Andover.
There have also been reports of damaging hail in East Wichita.
From Andover to Augusta via Leon and El Dorado to the south, dangerous storms continue to pose hail threats and potentially devastating winds. A hail the size of a tennis ball has been reported in El Dorado.
—–
Update – 7:40 pm: The tornado warning for Greenwood County expires. We have teams heading to the Eureka region to track damage reports.
—–
Updated – 19:35 A storm that caused tornadoes and hit the Eureka region moved to the east of the city and the rotation began to collapse.
The tornado warning for Greenwood County remains in effect until 8 pm. The tornado warning for Butler County has expired. Threats in the El Dorado region remain strong winds and hail.
—–
7:30 p.m. Storms east of Wichita are accompanied by threats of tornadoes that affect parts of Butler County and the Eureka region of Greenwood County.
A tornado that fell in Greenwood County left reports of damage to Eureka.
Previously, a brief tornado on rope was reported northwest of El Dorado.
[ad_2]
Source link
